Sports briefs for April 30, 2014

By Wire Service Reports, Special to the BDN •April 30, 2014 6:31 pmUpdated: April 30, 2014 6:33 pm

Yanks’ Pineda to miss three weeks with muscle strain

New York Yankees right-hander Michael Pineda will miss at least three weeks with a strained muscle.

Halfway through a 10-game suspension for using pine tar a second time and being even more obvious than the first time on April 10 at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees announced that Pineda was taken for an MRI exam which revealed a grade 1 strain of the teres major muscle, which is in between the lat and the shoulder.

If there was a positive development, it was that it was not Pineda’s shoulder, which sidelined him for two seasons. The team’s previous diagnosis was a sore lat muscle near his ribcage.

For now, right-hander David Phelps will stay in the rotation, and Pineda might not be back until late May or early June depending on his readiness for a throwing program.

Indians’ Carrasco moved to bullpen

Cleveland Indians right-hander Carlos Carrasco, off to a slow start in the rotation, is being moved to the bullpen.

Wednesday was Carrasco’s turn to start, but he will be replaced by right-hander Zach McAllister, who will start on three days’ rest, manager Terry Francona said Tuesday.

Because of Thursday’s off day, the Indians won’t need a fifth starter until May 6. Carrasco, though, will stay in the bullpen, and the Indians are expected to call up a starter from Triple-A Columbus, either right-hander Trevor Bauer or right-hander Josh Tomlin, to fill the spot.

Carrasco, who is 0-3 with a 6.95 ERA in four starts, expressed disappointment at the move, but Francona said Carrasco needs to just go out and pitch when called upon.

Tight end Keller visits with Patriots+

Tight end Dustin Keller visited the New England Patriots and agreed to a physical.

If he signs with the team, Keller would be on his third roster in three seasons — all in the AFC East.

Drafted by the New York Jets, Keller signed with the Miami Dolphins last offseason as an urestricted free agent but was lost for the season with a torn ACL, MCL and PCL in his right knee in the preseason.

Keller spent five seasons with the Jets without a dependable starting quarterback and averaged almost 50 receptions per season.

He could be viewed as a solid No. 2 option behind Rob Gronkowski, who is still rehabbing from his own ACL injury.

Pitt’s Randall arrested, suspended indefinitely

Pittsburgh Panthers backup center Derrick Randall was suspended indefinitely Tuesday after he was arrested on suspicion of DWI, the school announced.

Randall was also charged with use of a controlled dangerous substance and possession of a controlled dangerous substance, according to the Bergen Record. He was arrested on the Rutgers University campus at 2:45 a.m. Tuesday when he was pulled over for driving without headlights on.

“The incident involving Derrick Randall this morning is not only surprising but incredibly disappointing,” Pitt coach Jamie Dixon said in a statement Tuesday. “Although I believe it was out of character for Derrick, he has been indefinitely suspended.”

Clubhouse accident costs Giants’ Cain a start

SAN FRANCISCO — Giants right-hander Matt Cain added injury to insult Tuesday when he suffered a half-inch cut on the tip of his right index finger in the clubhouse about an hour before his scheduled start against the San Diego Padres.

Cain was forced to sit out the game.

The accident occurred in the eating area when Cain, while making a sandwich, dropped a knife and then cut himself while attempting to catch it.

For Cain, it was just another April disappointment, as he completed the season-opening month without a win for the second consecutive season.

If there is good news — other than the fact that the month ends before Cain’s next schedule start — it is that the cut did not require any stitches and he is expected to be able to keep his turn in the Giants’ rotation. His next start is scheduled to be Monday in Pittsburgh.